Multiple pedestrians were seriously injured in downtown Boston on Tuesday when they were hit by a box truck that jumped the curb before crashing onto its side in a “tragic accident” during the busy lunch hour, city officials said. The incident happened at about 12:48 p.m. on Kneeland Street at Harrison Avenue near Chinatown, Boston police said. From Sky5, a yellow Penske rental truck could be seen on its right side on the sidewalk. “There were two or three people laying on the ground, people helping them out, others calling the police,” said witness Chris Sullivan. The crash happened during the busy lunch hour in a part of city known for its restaurants and foot traffic. Tora Ramen, located on the corner, was heavily damaged, and a dislodged fire hydrant was in the roadway. Restaurant sign boards, broken glass and other debris littered the area.Video: Witnesses recount moments after truck crashBoston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the crash appears to be a “tragic accident.”Witnesses said the truck was speeding down Kneeland Street toward Charles Street when it crashed into a light post, a business and then another light post. Several people were hit by the truck.”We’re going to follow the facts and where they lead us to determine what exactly happened here,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden. “There’s no reason to believe this was an intentional act.”According to Boston EMS, six people were hurt, including the driver, and four were taken by ambulance to area hospitals.Three people were taken to Tufts Medical Center, where one was in fair condition, one was in critical condition and one was in good condition. One other person was taken to Mass. General. Two other people were treated at the scene but did not go to the hospital. At least one of the people injured was in the ramen restaurant.”I feel bad for the people who got injured,” said Patrick Zhong, owner of Tora Ramen. “No one wants this to happen.””It’s very painful to see that, and I feel bad for anyone and the families who have to deal with this situation,” said Malikah El-bay Brown.”It was very chaotic. I saw people hurt, I saw people inured. It’s hard to explain, but it was just very chaotic,” said Gloria Rodrigues, who heard the crash. The truck driver was pinned inside the cab after the crash and had to be extracted from the vehicle, Boston Fire said. The truck struck multiple poles and was wedged between a pole and the building, Boston Fire said.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city’s building inspector will assess the structures involved.Video: ‘Quite shocking’ Boston officials react to box truck crash in ChinatownKneeland Street was closed between Tyler and Washington streets several hours after the crash, and Cox warned the area will remain closed or with restricted access during the investigation. A crane was brought in late Tuesday afternoon remove the wedged truck. ABC News said officials do not believe, at this point, that this looks suspicious or intentional, but they are actively trying to figure out what happened.Authorities are actively investigating whether the crash was the result of the driver having a medical emergency, ABC News reports.In a statement to WCVB, Penske said it is aware of the crash and the c0mpany “will be cooperating fully with authorities to support their investigation. Our thoughts are with those who have been injured in this unfortunate incident.”The company added, “Based on our records, the truck involved was out on rent to a commercial trucking company. We have no other information at this time.”Tufts Medical Center’s Dr. Brien Barnewolt said the facility, which is a level one trauma center, activated its mass casualty response when they first learned of the crash, meaning several specially trained teams were on standby and ready to receive and treat patients. After receiving more information about the incident, the activation was de-escalated. Video: How Boston hospitals prepare for, react to mass casualty events

BOSTON —Multiple pedestrians were seriously injured in downtown Boston on Tuesday when they were hit by a box truck that jumped the curb before crashing onto its side in a “tragic accident” during the busy lunch hour, city officials said.

The incident happened at about 12:48 p.m. on Kneeland Street at Harrison Avenue near Chinatown, Boston police said. From Sky5, a yellow Penske rental truck could be seen on its right side on the sidewalk.

“There were two or three people laying on the ground, people helping them out, others calling the police,” said witness Chris Sullivan.

The crash happened during the busy lunch hour in a part of city known for its restaurants and foot traffic. Tora Ramen, located on the corner, was heavily damaged, and a dislodged fire hydrant was in the roadway. Restaurant sign boards, broken glass and other debris littered the area.

Video: Witnesses recount moments after truck crash

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the crash appears to be a “tragic accident.”

Witnesses said the truck was speeding down Kneeland Street toward Charles Street when it crashed into a light post, a business and then another light post. Several people were hit by the truck.

“We’re going to follow the facts and where they lead us to determine what exactly happened here,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden. “There’s no reason to believe this was an intentional act.”

According to Boston EMS, six people were hurt, including the driver, and four were taken by ambulance to area hospitals.

Three people were taken to Tufts Medical Center, where one was in fair condition, one was in critical condition and one was in good condition. One other person was taken to Mass. General.

Two other people were treated at the scene but did not go to the hospital. At least one of the people injured was in the ramen restaurant.

“I feel bad for the people who got injured,” said Patrick Zhong, owner of Tora Ramen. “No one wants this to happen.”

“It’s very painful to see that, and I feel bad for anyone and the families who have to deal with this situation,” said Malikah El-bay Brown.

“It was very chaotic. I saw people hurt, I saw people inured. It’s hard to explain, but it was just very chaotic,” said Gloria Rodrigues, who heard the crash.

The truck driver was pinned inside the cab after the crash and had to be extracted from the vehicle, Boston Fire said. The truck struck multiple poles and was wedged between a pole and the building, Boston Fire said.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city’s building inspector will assess the structures involved.

Video: ‘Quite shocking’ Boston officials react to box truck crash in Chinatown

Kneeland Street was closed between Tyler and Washington streets several hours after the crash, and Cox warned the area will remain closed or with restricted access during the investigation. A crane was brought in late Tuesday afternoon remove the wedged truck.

ABC News said officials do not believe, at this point, that this looks suspicious or intentional, but they are actively trying to figure out what happened.

Authorities are actively investigating whether the crash was the result of the driver having a medical emergency, ABC News reports.

In a statement to WCVB, Penske said it is aware of the crash and the c0mpany “will be cooperating fully with authorities to support their investigation. Our thoughts are with those who have been injured in this unfortunate incident.”

The company added, “Based on our records, the truck involved was out on rent to a commercial trucking company. We have no other information at this time.”

Tufts Medical Center’s Dr. Brien Barnewolt said the facility, which is a level one trauma center, activated its mass casualty response when they first learned of the crash, meaning several specially trained teams were on standby and ready to receive and treat patients. After receiving more information about the incident, the activation was de-escalated.

Video: How Boston hospitals prepare for, react to mass casualty events